Dan Jackson

Dan is the creator of BladeReviews.com. He founded the site in 2010, and for the first 5 years Dan wrote all of the reviews and recorded all of the video reviews. He grew up using pocket knives, and the decision to start the website stemmed from his fascination of all things sharp combined with a deep passion for writing. At this point he has personally reviewed almost 300 knives of all shapes, sizes, and price points. He is widely recognized as an authority on daily carry knives and has consulted with knife companies on product design and has been featured on national media outlets including the WireCutter. In 2016 Dan decided to branch out and experiment with the website by reviewing watches, flashlights, and multi-tools. Today BladeReviews.com features a number of expert authors reviewing a wide range of daily carry gear. He is proud to write detailed long format reviews with original photography. The website remains largely independent with the vast majority of the products reviewed being purchased by Dan personally. When he isn't writing knife reviews from his home in Southwest Florida, or talking about himself in third person, he enjoys practicing law, reading, fishing, cigars, and weight lifting.

At this point he has personally reviewed almost 300 knives of all shapes, sizes, and price points. He is widely recognized as an authority on daily carry knives. He has consulted with knife companies on product design and his opinions on pocket knives have been featured on national media outlets including the WireCutter. In 2016 Dan decided to branch out and experiment with the website by reviewing watches, flashlights, and multi-tools. Today BladeReviews.com features a number of expert authors reviewing a wide range of daily carry gear. He is proud to write detailed long format reviews with original photography. The website remains largely independent with the vast majority of the products reviewed being purchased by Dan personally.

When he isn't writing knife reviews from his home in Southwest Florida, or talking about himself in third person, he enjoys practicing law, reading, fishing, cigars, and weight lifting.

Gerber 06 Auto Review

by Dan Jackson 2 Comments

The Gerber 06 Auto has always struck me as a stand out piece for Gerber. A well worn trope in knife reviewing is to bag on Gerber for their decline from an American standard to a mass market, Wal-Mart oriented, overseas produced stuffed shirt of a brand.

Buy the Gerber 06 Auto at BladeHQ

The poster child for that era of corner cutting was their plastic handled Bear Gryles Parang that would break in half if you tried to use it. I’m not sure you could even saber open a bottle of Dom with it on the hotel pool deck, much to Bear’s chagrin. If there ever was a rock bottom for Gerber, that was it.

The 06 Auto is a standout for the brand because it is USA made piece geared towards military and law enforcement instead of mall ninjas and glampers. It’s an automatic knife, so federal law forced Gerber’s corporate overlords to produce the 06 in the USA. The bean counters were pissed when they realized this, and groused about the diminished margins. But enthusiasts have referred to the USA made 06 as a “happy accident”, because the resulting knife was not an orange plastic encased turd best known for its propensity to break in half. Imagine that!

In the past few years Geber has attempted a turn around. Knives like the Fastball have shown the company is committed to making high quality blades again, but the 06 has been around for 10 years. In fact, the 06 I have here happens to be the 10 Year Anniversary variant with an OD green handle. It’s high time we check this modern classic out.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The 06 Auto has an overall length of 8.625″, a 3.625″ blade, weighs 7.14 ounces and is made in the good ole USA. This is a full size knife with a similar footprint to my Strider SnG or Spyderco Paramilitary 2, but it’s about twice the weight thanks to a thick blade, full steel liners under aluminum handles, and a chunky steel backspacer. It’s not my top choice for an urban EDC knife, but if you are looking for a heavy duty piece this 06 feels like it can be used to bust through cinder blocks.

Here is a size comparison with a Spyderco Delica and an Endura. All in green!

The blade is a handsome traditional drop point, with a saber flat grind and a long swedge. The blade of my 10th anniversary edition has been given a simple stonewashed finish, but generally the 06 comes with a flat black blade coating. The grinds are clean and even and the edge has been neatly applied, the last 1/8th of an inch at the heel is unsharpened for some reason. I’m not a fan of that as I find material can get hung up on the unsharpened portion. I suppose that could be ground out, but would prefer to see the edge completely sharp all the way to the heel straight out of the box.

Gerber runs S30V steel on their O6s these days. I have no real issue with S30V. It’s a fine steel that gets the job done, although these days there are more exotic steels available. Depending on the heat treat S30V can be stubborn to sharpen. I found that this 06 is easy enough to touch up on my Spyderco Goldenstone, so that’s good. No issues with rust or corrosion so far.

I’ve used this 06 a bit. It doesn’t leave the house much, as I prefer to carry smaller lighter knives when I’m on the go, but I’ve carried it around the house and neighborhood, and used it on many cardboard boxes. It’s an effective box cutter, tracking smooth cuts through cardboard and other packing materials. It also whittles well, peeling off long thin strips of wood and bark. It’s also a stout blade that should hold up well in harder use cases. I think it would be a good choice as folding camp knife.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

As I mentioned before, this knife comes with hard anodized aluminum scales over full steel liners and a thick steel backspacer. All the hardware has been given a black oxidized finish. This Ten Year Anniversary edition comes with OD green handles. I find that to be fun and a nice change of pace from the blacked out regular edition. Some of the finish is a little crude, most notably the tool marks on the backspacer, but the parts all fit together nicely. It’s a solid and well made handle.

You can also see Gerber went through the trouble of skeletonizing the steel liners. The big honking backspacer also provides room for a lanyard hole and an “impact tool”. As far as impact tools go, this 06 Automatic means business. I would not want to get hit with this thing.

The ergonomics of this knife are quite good. The handle is generous and can accommodate larger hands and gloved hands. The anodized handles offer a little texture without being abrasive. There is some millwork in the handle for extra traction, but it seems that the 06 benefits the most from its simple and large handle shape. The knife is a little pommel heavy, and I find the most balanced grip is when I am choking back on the handle. However if you decide to choke up, the flared handle shape prevents your fingers from slipping forward. All in all this is a comfortable handle that should work well for most people.

The pocket clip is large, and doesn’t provide for particularly deep carry. A good inch or so sticks out, which makes the knife easy to retrieve, but not super discreet. The pocket clip is secure with good spring retention. That is essential for a heavy knife like this.

Here is your in the pocket shot:

In practice I found the 06 to be a large and somewhat cumbersome knife to carry. If you are used to a heavy load out then the 06 is just another day at the office, but if you regularly carry a Dragonfly 2 or Mini Bugout like I do, then the 06 will take some getting used to. No surprise there, the knife is over 7 ounces.

Deployment and Lockup

Now for the fun part. As you know, the Gerber 06 is a push button automatic. The coil spring inside the handle is strong and snappy. It has no problem propelling the blade out. Gerber has also included a large safety button, or safety slide, that will lock the blade open or closed. Most safetys are fiddly and detract from the knife. The safety on the 06 actually enhances the experience. It’s surprisingly satisfying to use. It’s large and takes a purposeful amount of force to manipulate. I have yet to accidentally manipulate the safety. I don’t mind it at all on this knife.

For lockup the 06 comes equipped with a button lock. This is a robust locking mechanism, and the safety slide allows you to lock the knife open if you choose. I like button locks in generally, and think the button lock here is pretty good. The blade is secure although there is a small amount of side to side play. No up and down play. When it’s time to disengage the lock, an appropriate amount of force is required. There is no stickiness in the lock. It’s good. No complaints here.

Here is a parting size comparison with my Strider SnG. I still enjoy this knife, and imagine it’s a collectible at this point. I thought it would make for a cool size comparison.

Blade centering is good on my knife. I’d say it’s off by a hair, but is still good enough for government work.

Gerber 06 Auto Review – Final Thoughts

The 06 Auto has been on my radar for as long as it has been in production. It has that universal cool, and is a strong departure from Gerber’s standard stuff. It’s handsome, rugged, and overbuilt. Who wouldn’t want one?

Well, an argument against the 06 is it’s a heavy duty tool. If you are a normal person, you could carry one for the novelty, but I think you will find that it’s overkill for most EDC use cases. Certainly if you are in law enforcement, military, or have a reason to carry a heavy duty piece like this, then the 06 is a great choice. But if your typical carry is an ultralight EDC knife, then the 06 Auto will get old fast.

With those caveats aside I can recommend the 06 Auto. It’s a robust knife and it shows what Gerber is capable of if they put their minds to it. It’s a quality piece, and I’d love to see them riff on this design and offer lighter and maybe even non-automatic variants. More “happy accidents” please, and less orange plastic.

Gerber 06 Auto – From $169.00
From: BladeHQ

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Gerber 06 Auto at BladeHQ. Thank you for reading.

CRKT Provoke Review

by Dan Jackson Leave a Comment

Where to begin with the CRKT Provoke? This is a knife that defies convention, and it hardly relates to any other knife that has crossed my desk.

Buy the CRK Provoke at BladeHQ

If I were to draw a comparison to a knife in my collection, the Provoke most reminds me of the HALO VI. Not so much from a nuts and bolts standpoint, but from the standpoint of how this knife makes you feel. It’s an entirely unreasonable pocket knife, and that’s why I’m drawn to it.

Of course all things have their origin, and the Provoke is no different. The Provoke is a production version of Joe Caswell’s Morphing Karambit. Joe is well known for his innovative and robust designs. His EDX is a good example of his over engineered design philosophy distilled into a more traditional folding knife pattern. The Morphing Karambit takes the idea to an entirely different level, linking the traditional Karambit pattern with a novel design that allows you to deploy the blade with the forward push of your finger.

Like the HALO VI I can only describe it as a “serious piece of hardware”. It is satisfies in a way that something like a Spyderco Delica or Benchmade Griptilian could never dream of.

CRKT’s decision to work with Joe to bring this knife to the mass market was bold and admirable. But CRKT is known for its more budget oriented offerings, and the original Morphing Karambit retails for $650. CRKT’s version comes retails in the $200 range. Much more palatable, but not a cheap knife by any stretch of the imagination. Does it make the grade? I’ll attempt to answer that question as I explore this highly unique offering.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Provoke has an overall length of 7.37″, a 2.41″ blade, weighs 6.1 ounces, and is made in Taiwan. As I mentioned in the intro, this is a hefty piece of hardware. Few knives have the substance, the gravitas, of the Provoke. This is a heavy hitter. It is thic with 3 c’s, as the youths are saying. Purportedly saying, as I am no longer a youth. I am reminded of that as I watch the youths walk the window of my office as the shadows lengthen and the earth goes cold. Regardless, it’s a thick knife. 1.25 inches thick according to BladeHQ.

And at 6.1 ounces you feel it in the hand. It’s not an EDC. At least not for me. But not all knives should be a featherweight EDC. That would be boring. And the Provoke is definitely not boring. Here is a size comparison with a Delica and Endura:

The blade is a chisel ground hawkbill shape. Hawkbills are common on karambits. Chisel grinds may be less common, but here we are working with over 5mm of D2 steel. It tapers out as you reach the tip, and it gives the knife a little symmetry. I will note that the actual edge is V ground. I think that was a good idea as in practice it helps this thick chisel ground blade track through material when cutting.

Speaking of cutting, I have had the chance to do a fair amount of work with this knife. The curve of the blade accelerates materials into the cut. It makes quick work of cardboard. From a utility standpoint, I think cardboard is where this knife excels. The thick blade makes it less effective for food prep. It can cut rope and fabric, and the fine tip works well for the modern equivalent of cutting coupons, but the curved handle and blade allow you to rake long cuts through cardboard. The entire knife has been given a titanium nitride coating, and so far it is held up well. I haven’t tested the knife in any martial capacity, but assume it would perform alright in the hands of a skilled martial artist.

I think D2 was a decent choice for blade steel. It’s a tough semi-stainless steel. It’s less expensive but still gets the job done. Certainly there are better steels on the market, but I am not convinced a knife like this really “needs” to come in a super steel. Since the blade has been coated you don’t need to worry about rust, and in practice the heat treat on this is pretty good. It holds a nice, durable edge, and I am able to keep it touched up on my Sharpmaker, Golden Stone, or any other rod style sharpener.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle is made from 3 pieces of aluminum. You have the main part of the handle, and then 2 smaller aluminum links that connect the handle to the blade. All the pieces are bolted together and given the same black coating as the handle. In practice the handle construction is impressive. It’s solid and heavy. All the parts are nicely finished and everything lines up as it should. Excellent fit and finish on this piece.

For such an unconventional design, this Provoke feels surprisingly good in hand. I suppose this is due in part to the karambit design. Karambits provide plenty of room for your hand thanks to the short blade relative to the handle and the ring. I am able to stretch out and get a good grip. And although there are a few moving parts, none of them are sharp where your fingers go in both a forwards and reverse grip. So while it doesn’t look comfortable, it is. This is a testament to Joe Caswell’s remarkable design.

Let’s talk about the pocket clip. This is another highly unusual element of the knife. It is the only park that isn’t black, offering some contrast to the design. The clip curves all the way around the ring of the karambit and sits flush with the handle. You have to press the textured area on the pommel to push the pocket clip up and provide room to slide it into the pocket.

It’s an usual design but it works well, holding the Provoke securely in place, and providing you with a decently deep and discreet method of carry. Given the unusual shape of the clip it doesn’t really read like a pocket clip to me. Here’s your pocket shot:

Of course at 6+ ounces, you will feel this knife if you decide to carry it daily. But for what it is, I think the Provoke carries well.

Deployment and Lockup

This is another point in the review where the Provoke colors outside the lines of conventional folding knife design. Rather than a thumb stud, or flipper tab, or blade hole, you nudge the blade open with your thumb. CRKT calls this their “Kinematic” system but it doesn’t really matter. If you are reading this review you likely are already aware of how the knife works. It’s difficult to describe so I’ll provide some pictures.

Knife junkies will need a cigarette after deploying this blade. There is a ballistic quality to this knife, and you don’t so much open the blade as you launch it. It’s a singularly satisfying experience let down only by the comparatively clunky method of unlocking the blade and bringing it back to closed position.

To unlock the blade you have to push a small tab near the ring. That frees the links to retreat to their closed position. It works well, but like most folders, it isn’t as fun as kicking the blade open.

I’ve been playing around with this knife for months. It lived at my office for a while, and I took it home to test it around the house and put the review together. I’ve opened and closed it hundreds if not thousands of times. It has worked flawlessly for me. Granted, I didn’t skin a hog with this knife, or take it out to the desert for a week, but I’ve used it and it has held up well.

Here is a parting size comparison with the Zero Tolerance 0350:

CRKT Provoke Review – Final Thoughts

I recall when Joe Caswell first introduced the Morphing Karambit as a Kickstarter Project. I was instantly intrigued, and know a lot of folks were. I believe our own Grayson Parker owns one of the Morphing Karambits and may eventually review it. It’s a design that is too unique to ignore. But at $450 it might be a little too expensive for most people to buy. I know the price was a hurdle for me personally.

So the idea of CRKT making a more approachable version of the knife appealed to me, and CRKT has a good track record of executing custom designs. At $200 CRKT’s version is still not cheap, but people are buying it. I see that it has over 500 reviews on Amazon, which is impressive for a niche product like this.

I don’t typically comment on Amazon reviews, but I found it interesting that some people on Amazon are disappointed with the Provoke stating “there are better options out there” for an EDC knife. No shit? This is a highly unusual design. It’s not going to replace a Delica or Griptilian. If you are buying this as your primary EDC knife be prepared to make many compromises. This should not be your first knife. It probably shouldn’t be your 10th if you are building a collection of users. It’s heavy and impractical as an EDC tool, but it’s an amazing design that has been well executed.

I think if you like the design you will like the knife. In my mind it’s more of a collectible or a design object than an every day carry piece, but it is 100% functional. CRKT did a great job bringing Caswell’s vision to the masses. I really dig the Provoke, and it will have a special place in my collection.

CRKT Provoke Kinematic EDC Folding Pocket Knife: Morphing Karambit, D2 Blade Steel, Kinematic Pivot Action, Integrated Safety Lock, Low Profile Pocket Clip 4040

Unique Innovation: Kinematic deploys the blade with push of the thumb
Superior Performance: D2 blade steel for excellent edge retention
Strong And Lightweight: Aluminum handle combines strength with minimal weight
Designed by Joe Caswell in Newbury Park, California
Limited Lifetime Warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, see company site for details

Editor: I recommend purchasing the CRKT Provoke at BladeHQ or Amazon Thank you very much.

2020 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Knife Deals

by Dan Jackson 1 Comment

Friends and internet strangers, it is that time of year. Time to round up the various 2020 Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on knives and gear and to share them with you.

As always, please feel free to leave a comment or email me if I miss anything and I’ll add the deal.

BladeHQ

So far BladeHQ has all sorts of stuff on sale for their 2020 Black Friday deals.

The usual suspects, including some deeply discounted Boker and Kershaw autos, are for sale.

They also appear to be running some flash sales. The sale will likely update as we count down to Friday.

Something for everyone and an all-around compelling sale. Check out the deals here.

Amazon

As usual, online retail giant Amazon has their deals going on for black Friday. You will likely find some decent deals on budget knives and flashlights. If you are looking to score big on a higher end knife this probably isn’t the place for that. They seem to do flash sales, and limited offerings. I am guessing there will be lots of time sensitive deals on more budget oriented knives, so here is a direct link to their outdoor gear deals.

The deals will keep changing / updating.

GP Knives

GP Knives has a bunch of stuff on offer. They are offering a free Benchmade hat with purchase of a Benchmade knife, $60 for a Kershaw Blur in S90V (great price), a sale on Civivi, Gerber, and Buck, and a Leathrman Rev for $30.

There is a little something for everyone, and they seem to be throwing in a lot of freebies with their deals.

You can check out all their Black Friday deals here.

KnivesShipFree

KSF’s 2020 Black Friday Deals are live, and they have some great ones. 50% off MSRP of the Bark River Adventurer series, 60% off Brous Blades, 60% off Todd Begg Steelcraft, and a KSF exclusive Ken Onion filet type knife for under $80 strike me as their best deals. A free Benchmade Blue Tool with every Benchmade Knife is their BM giveaway item.

O-Light

Here’s a link to O-Light’s Black Friday Sale. They are hitting it hard this year with some free gifts and deep discounts on their lights. They are promising over 70 items will be on sale with 20%-45% off site wide.

Southern Grind

Southern Grind is offering 20% off on all their knives from 12:01 A.M. on Friday through Cyber Monday and 50% off all their apparel. Maybe this is the year I pick up a Bad Monkey. Always wanted to check that one out.

KnifeDepot

Last year KnifeDepot had some pretty good sales so I’ll update this section when I understand what they have going on in 2020.

For now they have some Cyber Monday sales up and it looks like this is where they will be posting their Black Friday deals as well.

Smokey Mountain Knife Works

SMKW has a Black Friday promotion on their home page, and they are also running some Flash Sales this year. Right now I see spend $75 and get a free SMKW EDC tray (looks like leather), spend $125 and get a Cold Steel Kudu Lite, spend $199 and get a Mora Basic, COld Steel Kudu Lite, and an EDC Tray, and if you spend $300 you get all that stuff plus a Victorinox Spartan.

KnifeCenter

Here is a link to KnifeCenter’s Black Friday deals this year. So far they have some kitchen knives, and other odds and ends.

They also have a number of other holiday sales going on. There’s a Benchmade Clearance sale in addition to a sale on Civivi, Spyderco, Gerber, ZT, and more. An orange handled SOG Aegis AT for $70.

National Knives

Last year National Knives had a black Friday sale starting on Thanksgiving. My guess is they will do another so I’ll update this post when I get more information.

Spyderco

Last year Spyderco ran Black Friday sale. I don’t know if they do this every year, but worth keeping on your radar.

Emerson

Last year Emerson ran a sale so let’s see if they do something again for 2020.

Pohl Force

Pohl Force also has some sort of Black Friday promotion. The website is is German, and the prices are in Euros, but they are offering 30% off a lot of knives. I’ve enjoyed Pohl Force knives. They are expensive, but cool. Check out their deal here.

Prometheus Lights

Prometheus lights is running a 2020 Holiday Sale and is offering 20% off select lights. Now could be a great time to pick up a Beta QR, 4Sevens light, or a pen. Last year I picked up a couple of their Four Sevens lights and was super impressed. This year it’s tempting to finally grab a Beta QR. We shall see.

JomaShop

If you are into watches JomaShop has a Pre-Black Friday, a Black Friday and a Cyber Monday sale going on. All sorts of stuff, from $100 watches to $10,000 watches with deals on Hamilton and Breitling. Check it out here.

2020 Black Friday Knife Deals – That’s All For Now…

That’s it for now, but I am publishing this post Monday night. The deals will continue and update throughout the week. Drop me a line if you see anything cool, and retailers are welcome to reach out if they want me to include their deal on this page. Thanks and Happy Holidays.

Silky Pocketboy Saw Review

by Dan Jackson 7 Comments

I bought the Silky Pocketboy because I was looking for a small compact saw to take with me on suburban bicycle rides. It’s an odd use case, but that’s how I came to acquire my Pocketboy. Allow me to explain.

Long bicycle rides were a habit I formed when I was going to school in New Orleans. Usually the rides were a hangover cure of sorts. I’d drink into the early hours, and then wake up at the crack of noon to “sweat out the sin” in the Louisiana heat. It didn’t hurt that New Orleans is an infinitely interesting place, and the bicycle was the perfect means to explore it.

These days I’m in Sarasota, a boring town by comparison. Sure you have the natural beauty of the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay, and the glittering abundance of a thousand designer condos, but it’s a relatively sleepy town. I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if I had stayed in New Orleans after graduating rather than retreating to the relative comfort and safety of my parent’s place in Florida. Perhaps I could have gone to law school in Louisiana, and spent a life navigating the legal backwaters of the Big Easy. Or maybe I would have ditched law entirely and become a banana merchant or a tugboat captain. Regardless, I’m sure there would have been some good stories, and a lifetime of great bike rides.

So why the folding saw? Well, Sarasota isn’t the most bicycle friendly of places. Ironically I think New Orleans is a much safer city to ride in due to the variety of quiet back streets. The south part of Sarasota is largely defined by a waterway: the Phillippi Creek. The creek cuts through the neighborhoods, and as a result there are only a limited number of bridges you can cross to get downtown safely by bike. Sure, if you have abandoned all hope you can bike down the 6 lane Tamiami Trail. For a bicycle rider, the Trail is a modern day thunderdome lined with an endless succession of strip malls, chain restaurants, and assisted living facilities. It’s tantamount to a death sentence. As a result I take tree-lined paths and some quiet streets to get around town.

And some of those paths are overgrown. Plants grow like crazy down here and if left to their own devices they will quickly overtake the sidewalks and bike lanes. After suffering the indignity of getting whacked in the head by a palm frond for the thousandth time, I came to the realization that I could do something about this. In a world that seems completely out of control, I could contour the low lying branches that line my bike ride and prevent getting bushwacked. All I needed was a lightweight and compact folding saw. Could that really be the cure to my existential angst?

A good 10 minutes of research landed me on the Silky Pocketboy. Japanese steel, a lightweight handle, and a convenient carrying case. All for around $40. Bingo, bango, bongo!

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Silky Pocketboy has an overall length of 11.5″, a 5″ blade, and weighs 6.2 ounces without it’s plastic sheath. 7.8 ounces if you include the sheath. It’s made in Japan. A saw like this is designed to be taken with you. Obviously I’ve taken mine around on my bike, and it fits perfectly in a small pouch I have under the seat, but have also thrown it in my briefcase and used it to trim some palms at my office. It’s small enough where you could keep it in a car or portable tool kit. Of course it’s also highly effective around the yard but Silky makes other saws that might be better suited to live in your garage.

The blade is made of SK-4 high carbon tool steel made by Hitachi. Knife guys may have heard of SK-4, it’s a robust tool steel. The blade i s taper ground, meaning it’s thicker at the teeth and thins out towards the spine. That is the opposite of what we see with knives, but it makes sense for a wood saw to avoid binding. SK-4 is not a stainless steel, so I have tried to spray my saw down with WD-40 after each use. However, I forgot to do that the last time I put it away. It was caked with tree sap and wood shavings. But no rust!

The blade is also deferentially hardened. Technically, it’s impulse hardened, which a special process for saw blades where they instantly heat the teeth of the blade and harden them. The rest of the blade is not hardened to this extreme, which allows it to be flexible. The possible downside is that impulse hardened teeth can not be sharpened, at least they aren’t designed to be sharpened. That likely won’t be a problem if you are careful with your saw – it should cut wood and other soft materials for years. But if you happen to hit a rock or the side of a bridge like I may have, then you are kind of screwed. So be careful with your saw. I’d hate to see anyone else get screwed.

There are 7 teeth per inch, the blade is 1.1mm thick, and the kerf is 1.2 mm. None of these specifications mean a whole lot to me, but they may have significance to you so included them for completeness.

In practice this little saw has been impressive. In most cases I can cut through branches 1 inch thick or less with one or two strokes. I’ve cut through 3-4″ branches relatively easily. I’m talking well under 30 seconds. It’s painful for me to write this, but if you have a 3-4″ diameter limb, then it’s far easier to use this saw than using a big knife or hatchet to chop through it. Not to mention safer. This is coming from a guy who loves big knives.

I also used this saw on some old lumber. I found it to be more of a chore to chew through a 2×4 with this compact saw. I doubt anyone is buying it for that reason, but this saw’s sweet spot strikes me as green wood 4″ in diameter or less. It rips through stuff like that. Pressure treated limber and big timber are best left for larger saws.

This is as good a time as any to disclaim that I won’t pretend to be a connoisseur of saws. I’m not. This is essentially a lay person’s review. If you are a normal person looking to up your portable saw game, then I think the performance of the Pocketboy is going to be impressive.

Also, I’ve used my Pocketboy for a couple months now, but I bought it for long term use. If anything changes I’ll update the review.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Sheath

The handle of the Pocketboy is made of chrome plated steel with a rubber overmold. According to Silky’s literature, the rubber may be vulcanized to the handle. So far the rubber has not peeled away from the steel. Construction is simple and sturdy. The fit and finish is good. It’s not as fancy as a high end knife, but all the parts line up, and everything is finished neatly. There is a large slotted pivot and a good size lanyard hole as well.

The ergonomics of this saw are great. The handle is generously sized, and the rubber overmold is comfortable. It provides excellent grip, plenty of cushion, and it’s big enough for all hand sizes. I’ve yet to have this saw slip out of my hand, and I’ve used it in the Florida summer. No hot spots or anything like that. The one thing to be careful about is the lock . If you are a maniac like me, then you may accidentally disengage it whilst sawing. There is little risk of the blade closing on your hand, but the blade could slide back to it’s second position.

Silky sends their saw in a clear plastic sheath. It’s more of a bubble. I like to think of it as a crystal case enclosing the delicate flower that is the Silky Pocketboy. Not really. It’s hard plastic, and the fact that it’s clear is not a bad thing. It has a drain hole and a large clasp. The saw fits in snugly thanks to the rubber handle. There is also a large metal belt loop. I’ve used it, and it is very convenient. Perfect for places where you can open carry a folding saw.

I bought the Pocketboy specifically for it’s portability, and in that respect it does not disappoint. True to its name, this saw could fit in your pocket.

Deployment, Lock, and Case

It shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn that this tool requires 2 hands to open the blade. Opening up the saw is easy enough. There is a small nail nick of sorts in the blade, and there are washers inside the handle. The action is smooth and fluid rather than rough and scratchy.

There is a simple back lock to keep the blade locked in place. The blade locks with a loud and satisfying click, and there are 2 blade positions to choose from. The lock works well and there is zero blade play in any direction. As I mentioned the lock is easy to get to, so you should exercise care to not accidentally disengage it. I’ve done that on some especially long, hot, and vigorous sawing sessions, but I’ve never come in danger of having the saw close on my hand. Instead it seems to slip back to the back position.

Here’s a final shot of the Pocketboy in it’s case:

It gives you a feel for how the clasp works and the size of the closed saw in the case.

Silky Pocketboy Review – Final Thoughts

I’ve been impressed with the cutting capability of this saw. I can’t think of anything else that would fit underneath my bike seat that packs this much power. As much as I love big knives for chopping, a saw like this is going to be safer and more efficient most of the time. Maybe not as fun as blowing through a tree limb with an ESEE Junglas, but if you happen to be working on the side of the road the likelihood of Law Enforcement getting involved is much lower.

The Pocketboy pairs that impressive cutting power with a comfortable handle, a sturdy lock, and a practical carrying case. And the fit, finish, and general attention to detail on this tool is quite high. It’s clear that this was built with care and attention. Everything is snug, flush, and well finished. When you consider what $40 buys these days as far as pocket knives go, this little saw impresses.

Time for the real question: So has the Silky Pocketboy cured my existential dread? Yeah, I’d say it did something for me. There is a certain sense of accomplishment neatly trimming a a bush or tree. What was once in my way, is now gone. It’s like making your bed, or driving your car after you just washed it and for 5 minutes everything is perfect. Satisfying. The Pocketboy accomplished any roadside task I put it to with alacrity, and I always felt better after I used it. For that, I am thankful.

I like the Pocketboy and it’s staying in my bike bag for the long haul. Recommended for people who need a small high-performance folding saw to cut through whatever is in your way.

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Silky PocketBoy at Amazon. Thank you for reading.

Victorinox Hunter Pro Alox Review

by Dan Jackson 5 Comments

The term “Swiss Army Knife” conjures up a certain image. It’s arguably the most universally recognizable pocket knife, spanning the gulf between lay person and hardcore knife enthusiast. These knives are universally popular in part because they are universally useful. Sure, the models with 20+ tools begin to border on the absurd. Fun, but maybe not functional. But models like the Cadet and Pioneer can be appreciated by the collector and average person alike.

Buy the Victorinox Alox Hunter at BladeHQ
Buy on Amazon

And for many these will be the first knives they handle. Whether it was quietly taken from dad’s bureau on a long summer afternoon, or openly handed around the camp fire in Boy Scouts, the SAK conjures up all manner of nostalgia.

In many ways it’s that standard Swiss Army Knife formula that makes these endearing. They haven’t changed a whole lot since childhood. Little pill shaped handles housing tools we have come to know and love. The penknife, the bottle opener, the nail file, the tweezers and tooth pick. They follow us along through life and settle comfortably into a shelf on the closet, or in a desk drawer, for our own children to eventually discover. It’s a virtuous cycle, and not a terrible business model either.

Victorinox has made small innovations over the years, but the designs remain largely unchanged. The Hunter Pro Alox is a significant departure from the pill shaped slip joints. It’s a big knife with a single blade. It comes with an ergonomic handle, a back lock, and pocket clip. It may seem trivial to you and me, but this is something of a big deal to a company whose product has remained mostly unchanged for over 100 years.

The question is whether the Hunter Pro is truly something significant. Does it mark a change in how we think of Swiss Army Knives? Or is it merely a novelty? This knife was provided to me by Victorinox free of charge. All thoughts are my own.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Hunter Pro Alox has an overall length of 8.875″, a 3.875″ blade, weighs 6.25 ounces, and is made in Switzerland. This is a large folding knife. Not just for Victorinox, but for any company with the exception of Cold Steel. I was puzzled by the purpose of this knife. Puzzled to the point where I had to look to the company’s literature to understand what they were aiming for with this piece. According to Victorinox, this is a “cross-over” between an outdoors knife and an urban EDC. I don’t know.

Here’s a size comparison with the Spyderco Endura. Sorry for the blown out picture, and the dark pictures on this review. Was playing around with the camera settings and it was not a particularly good idea.

The knife is massive, which doesn’t necessarily bother me, but the weight of it is distracting. Admittedly I have the Alox version, which is the heaviest. Victorinox also offers the Hunter Pro with walnut handle covers or plastic handle covers. Either one of those shaves about 3/4 of an ounce off the weight. The Hunter Pro could be a fun choice for a camp or hunting knife, but this ain’t no EDC. Not in my book at least.

The blade is a near 4″ drop point. It curves gracefully like a whale, lending a utilitarian vibe to what may otherwise be considered a big freaking knife. This gentle giant has been designed for utility. There is a saber grind, and small swedge. The entire blade has been given a matte bead blasted finish. The Victorinox logo and “Swiss Made” have been engraved into the blade.

I am unsure on the blade steel for the Pro Hunter. Presumably it’s the same stuff used in their other knives. So far it has proven to be servicable. It takes a fine edge, holds it for a decent amount of time, and is easy to sharpen with a ceramic rod. Victorinox also offers the Pro Hunter with a Damasteel blade as part of a limited edition release they did for 2020. This limited edition is retailing for $400, so I’m not sure how many of those you will see in the wild.

In practice I’ve used my knife on cardboard and some light food prep. It’s starting to get hot in Florida, and most of my time outdoors has been spent on my bicycle, or mowing the lawn. Can’t say there have been many camp fires since the temps breached 90 degrees. And that may be where the Pro Hunter really belongs: at a camp site dicing root vegetables, and sharpening sticks.

The name “Pro Hunter” implies that this would be a choice for dressing game. Alas I’m not much of a hunter, and haven’t had the chance to butcher anything with it besides a bag of bacon. It creates lardons with the best of them.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Pro Hunter Alox has full steel liners, aluminum handle scales, and a solid steel backspacer. The closed length is almost 5.5 inches, so that’s a lot of material and a lot of weight. But everything has been nicely finished. All the parts line up neatly, and the Hunter Pro feels well made. The bright aluminum handle and jaunty bias to the Victorinox cross give it an almost ceremonial appearance. As if this knife could be used at a coronation… or perhaps a circumcision.

One nitpick is that the handle is riveted together. That’s fine for a $30 knife, but given the price tag of this model hovers around a hundo, I’d like a knife that can be disassembled and cleaned. Especially if it’s geared towards hunting.

The Pro Hunter feels cool and comfortable in hand. The edges of the alox handles are rounded, and even though there are a series of finger depressions, there are no hot spots to speak of. And there is no lack of room on this oversize handle either. For traction, you have the signature Alox pattern on the sides of the handle, and a short run of mild jimping on the spine of the blade. Aluminum has never been considered a high traction material, and this knife is not a paragon of traction, but for normal use I found it comfortable. Wood or plastic would be a good choice for outdoor use, but the nice thing about this bright red handle is that you won’t lose it on the forest floor.

This is the first Swiss Army Knife that I have seen with a factory pocket clip, and Victorinox appears to have put a lot of thought and energy into it. This is right side, tip up only deep carry clip. It’s large, and I think that was necessary given how hefty the knife is. The clip’s spring tension is good, and the knife is held in place, but this is a knife that you will notice in the pocket. I’ve never been a belt and suspenders guy, but the Pro Hunter has me thinking about it.

This is a somewhat discreet knife in the pocket. The knife buries completely, but the large pocket clip stands out next to denim. Here is you in the pocket shot:

Deployment and Lockup

You get 2 choices with the Pro Hunter: a thumb hole or nothing. I opted for “nothing”, and the result is a 2 hand opener. It’s an easy knife to open with two hands. There is an expanse of blade flat to grab onto and a mild back spring, so it doesn’t need a nail nick. The thumb hole version is more practical, but this version works too. The two hand opening might make it legal in certain countries. The action is fluid, and there appear to be some washers inside the knife.

The Pro Hunter uses a lock back to lock the blade in place. The lock works well. The spring retention is strong enough to keep the knife from opening by gravity, but the blade opens with a satisfying clack. The lock up is rock solid. No blade play at all in any direction. Disengaging the lock is easy enough. Everything works as it should and feels good.

Here is a parting size comparison with a more traditional SAK. This is the new 93mm Alox Farmer X:

Blade centering is perfect. Rounding things out is a large slotted lanyard hole.

Victorinox Pro Hunter Alox Review – Final Thoughts

The Pro Hunter Alox doesn’t quite work for me. On one hand, it’s well made and functional. Victorinox has always made a nice knife, and this Pro Hunter is well made. The red aluminum handles are striking, the fit and finish is excellent, and everything works as advertised. The pocket clip and lock back are both well done.

The problem is the knife is way too heavy. Maybe if they ditched the liners, thinned the blade, and re-worked the steel backstrap you would have something that could cross-over between outdoor use and Urban EDC without pulling your pants off. As it stands the Pro Hunter strikes me as an oddity in my collection. Large and heavy, which makes it less practical. I hope it won’t stop Victorinox from attempting to innovate, but it doesn’t entirely feel like a step forward for the brand.

Sale

Victorinox Hunter Pro M Alox Folding Knife Red Aluminium Handle - Red

Compact and Sleek: The Hunter Pro Alox is the sleek and handy every day carry for the modern man
Versatile: Its iconic design and perfect form combined with the sturdy blade make it the ideal cross-over from the outdoors to the urban jungle
Durable: The standout feature is the hugely popular Alox scales, known and loved for their durability
Other Features: Add in the new smart clip, spring integrated lanyard hole and paracord pendant and you have hunting’s new generation go-to multi-tool
Finish: Aesthetically it’s a hit too; the subtle shimmering finish showcases the knife’s key parts with style

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Victorinox Pro Hunter Alox at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

Olight Warrior X Pro Review

by Dan Jackson 5 Comments

It has been a while since we last reviewed a flashlight. Grayson reviewed the Prometheus Beta QR V2 back in January of 2018. So, yeah. It has been a minute. Personally, I’ve never reviewed one, so this will be the first.

Buy the Warrior X Pro at OlightStore.com

I like flashlights, but tend to be a one and done kind of guy until I need a different style of light. Ironically, I’m that way with most things. Currently, my rotation of lights includes a Streamlight Microstream, a Prometheus Lights Preon P1 MKIII, and a MKIII Turbo with the headlamp kit. All 3 of those lights rock for their respective purposes. I EDC the Microstream and Preon P1 constantly. The MKIII Turbo gets used as a headlamp in more extreme situations.

I was missing a high powered thrower in my little collection. My dad has an old Thrunight Catapult, and while he doesn’t use it every day, it’s great to have when he needs it. He tells me one time someone was trespassing in his yard in the middle of the night, and he used the light to put them on blast; literally. It’s stories like these that made me pine for my own high powered thrower. Preferably one with a crenulated strike bezel.

So when Olight contacted me about reviewing one of their lights, the Warrior X Pro was at the top of my list. They have some cool EDC lights that I would like to check out as well. Ben reviewed the S1 Baton back in the day, which is arguably their most popular model, but the Warrior X Pro fills a void on my flashlight collection. This light was provided to me free of charge for a review. All thoughts are my own, and they are very much the thoughts of a casual flashlight user. Don’t expect a Candlepower Forums in depth review. I’m just a regular guy that owns a few lights.

General Dimensions and Construction

The Warrior X Pro has an overall length of 5.875″ and weighs 8.43 oz. with the battery, and 5.6 without. Compared with an EDC light, this Warrior is huge, but next to something like my dad’s old Thrunight Catapult it’s actually quite compact. The emitter head is deep, designed to accommodate a deep reflector and throw the beam out 600M, and it has a strike bezel. The light appears to be mostly made of aluminum and has been hard anodized a handsome gunmetal gray. My last car came in similar shade, so maybe I’m a little biased, but I like the color.

Here’s a size comparison with my Preon P1 MKIII:

Fit and finish is excellent. At the time of writing this article, the Warrior X Pro retails for around $130. It looks well built to me. The anodization is smooth and even. There are no unintentionally sharp edges or machining marks. The emitter appears to be slightly off center, but that doesn’t seem to impact the output or beam pattern (more on that later). The body tube and head appear to be one solid piece of aluminum, which is impressive if they milled this from a solid block of aluminum.

The only threads are on the tail cap. These are square threads, and the tail cap unscrews in an easy, fluid manner to reveal double o-rings and the friction fit pocket clip. There has to be a way to remove the bezel to get to the internals, but it evades me. Olight proclaims that this light has survived a 3 meter drop test. I haven’t attempted that personally, but it’s good to know. I will say that this is an impressive piece of hardware that I fully expect to last many years.

Olight ships this light with both a belt pouch, and a pocket clip. They also include 2 grip rings: one in anodized aluminum, and another that is rubberized. The clip is a friction fit clip, but then the aluminum grip ring slips down over it.

Personally, I’ve using the light with the rubberized ring and the belt pouch (or “holster” as Olight calls it), but if I were camping I might like the versatility of having a pocket clip. They also included a lanyard. That’s the nice thing, you can switch things up. Options are good.

Output, Runtime, and UI

The reason this light is on your radar is the awe inspiring 2,250 lumens of output. Prior to the Warrior X Pro, my most powerful light was the Foursevens Mini Turbo MKIII. I thought that was a bright light, and it is. Especially if you are going to use it in a neighborhood. But the Warrior X Pro is so goddamn bright I’m afraid to use the light in public. This is for good reason. The flashlight is incredibly bright and throws to great distances. Olight says this thing can hit distances of up to 600M. That’s about a third of a mile. While I haven’t tested the claim, I don’t doubt it. This light is born to throw.

At first I tried playing around with the Warrior X Pro in my neighborhood. I used it to hit the tops of some tall pine trees a couple hundred yards away. They lit up like a birthday cake. It was cool, but you have to be extremely careful with a light like this in a populated setting. You could blind someone, or at the very least seriously piss them off. You don’t want to shine it at someone’s house, and you have to be very careful about using this around people driving cars. This light could easily cause a car accident.

Really a light like this is meant for a more rural setting. That’s where I had to take it to understand the Warrior X Pro’s true potential. This light is designed to cover some ground. If you have a big property, or spend a lot of nights camping, or work outside at night, hunt at night, or are part of a SEAL Team, then this could be a great fit. If you are looking for something to use while walking the dog in your deed restricted community, well, prepare to get a nastygram from your HOA.

Of course there is a low setting. Low emits a mere 300 lumens from the front of the light. That’s still bright, but you could get away with using it in a more suburban setting. For dog walking or just general use at night. It would be appropriate for use at a public campground or something like that. The high setting is when you really need to go the distance.

The User Interface (UI) on this light is dead simple. There is a large metal clicky button on the tail cap. Press down halfway for low, and press down fully for high. Hold your thumb down for momentary on, and press it down quickly to keep it on. It’s simple, it’s intuitive, and a it works well. Also, this tail cap is designed so you can tailstand the light. Good if you are trying to signal an airplane or debut a nightclub or something.

While the UI is straightforward the battery is much more controversial. It uses a customized 21700 Li-Ion rechargeable battery. It’s very similar to a regular 21700, but has been tweaked. From what I understand, a regular 21700 will not work in this light. This decision will draw the ire of the hardcore flashlight enthusiast. Enthusiasts want to be able to use their own batteries, swap batteries, etc. If you are like me, and this is the only 21700 light in your collection, then it probably won’t matter. I am an occasional user of this light at best. I don’t have a bunch of extra batteries for it. But for some, this will be a deal breaker.

It’s kind of like proprietary hardware on a pocket knife. The guys that really like to tinker will decide to buy the special tools for that particular knife. Or they won’t buy it in the first place. Personally, I’ve never been that way about knives, and I’m not outraged by the proprietary battery on this light either.

Part of the reason why the battery doesn’t upset me, is because I’m a light user, and Olight included a magnetic USB charger, and everything works really well. I don’t need to fiddle around with the battery to charge it. I just plug the USB charger into my laptop, slap the magnetic charger on top of the clicky button, and it charges. It’s a beautiful system.

The way this light works, is on a full charge it hits high for 2 minutes, then drops to 1000 lumens for 1 hour 40 minutes, then runs on low for 23 minutes. Or you can use the light on low for 8 hours. If you use this light for extended periods of time and need to carry multiple batteries with you, then I could see where wanting to run any old 21700 battery makes sense. Especially when Olight is charging $28 for an extra battery. As I mentioned earlier, “Options Are Good”, and conversely a lack of options is not good.

The nice thing is that there are competitive lights on the marketplace, and if this proprietary battery sticks in your craw, then you can decide to buy a different light. You could protest with pitchforks and torches on Main Street, or simply vote with your wallet. I’m not a fan of crowds, so I tend to do the latter.

Ergonomics and Carry

This is a big light, and it will never win any awards for ease of carry. For EDC I rotate between my Preon P1, and a Streamlight Microstream. The single AAA format is perfect for my needs as a self proclaimed “normal dude”. I live on a postage stamp sized lot in a suburban neighborhood. Ironically, I use my flashlight the most indoors at night, to navigate around the house before bed or to peer into the dark confines underneath my desk or behind my couch.

In comparison to an EDC flashlight, a light like this will always be an ordeal to carry. The belt pouch is usually the way to go for dedicated carry. It’s a sturdy nylon pouch, MOLLE ready, and with a magnetic clasp. But in a pinch the pocket clip works. Actually, it works quite well, holding the light in place.

In hand the light is comfortable. There is no lack of “real estate” for you to grip on. Even Andre the Giant could get an easy grip on this thing. Olight includes two grip rings. I have been enjoying the rubberized grip ring. The aluminum one is scalloped and not quite as comfortable. They are easy enough to swap out and experiment with. Rounding things out is a lanyard that so far has lived it’s life in the little cardboard box it came in. I’m not a big lanyard guy, but if you are going to work with this light, or use it on a boat, then I could see the appeal of a lanyard.

Olight Warrior X Pro Review – Final Thoughts

I have been impressed with the Warrior X Pro. Granted, I’m not a hard core flashlight guy, and I’m not the kind of person who is going to heavily use a light like this. I’ve wanted an “Eye of Sauron” in my collection for a long time now, and the Warrior X Pro fits that bill. It’s blindingly bright. You can reach out and touch someone with this thing. Whether that’s a stranger in the night, or a person in distress, the Warrior X Pro goes the distance. I couldn’t capture that in pictures, so you will have to take me at my word that this light throws.

I also like how nice of a package the light is. It’s nicely made, feels great in hand, is easy and intuitive to use, and it comes with everything you need. Enthusiasts like to fuss over things. I’ve been guilty of that myself, and I can see how flashlights can be a fussy hobby if you really get into them. But there is something refreshing about a kit like this that works. The charger is great. The proprietary battery is bound to upset some folks. I get it, and perhaps when it’s time to buy a second battery I’ll be equally miffed. But I like how well everything works with this light.

At the end of the day, I can easily recommend this light. For $130 you get a well considered flashlight with some serious high lumen utility.

I recommend purchasing the Olight Warrior X Pro at BladeHQ, Amazon, or The Olight Store. Thank you for reading.